<p>Hello, my name is Emily and I am currently a senior at Ellensburg High School. After applying to 11 schools, I was accepted to 9 of them and rejected by my top choice--Pomona College. These past several weeks I have tried to figure out where I want to go instead and finally crossed University of Portland, Willamette, Western Washington U, UC Davis, UCLA, and Colby College off my list. So now I am down to Whitman, Scripps and UW Honors. A little about myself--I live in Elllensburg, WA and I am interested in pursuing a biological sciences major. I want to attend medical school (to become a pediatrician) after undergrad. I love the outdoors, want to be on a cross country team (but can really only qualify for D3 team) and am interested in being part of student government and possibly greek life. The three colleges I've narrowed it down to are pretty dissimilar and each has its own pros and cons. Of the three, I think I would put UW at the bottom (because of size) but it is significantly cheaper than Whitman and Scripps.
If you could offer me any advice or input I would really appreciate it! I need to decide in a matter of days and it is very stressful!! :)</p>
<p>Whitman college sounds perfect for you. It’s very outdoorsy, has a student body that’s very friendly, and has lots of frats! That being said, you might want to go to UW just to save the money for medical school. In fact, that’d probably be the most prudent thing to do. But if your parents can foot the bill for whitman, I would go there. </p>
<p>Thanks for your quick reply! Yes I would consider Whitman and Scripps to be my top choices; neither is really more affordable as they both gave me similar scholarships. However, traveling costs between California and Washington would be something to consider. I love Whitman because of the outdoor program and emphasis on sciences and friendly students; however, I realize that the Claremont Consortium is a very valuable resource and learning environment–seeing as one can take classes at different campuses and such. However, I’m not convinced on the all-girls aspect of the school–though I know it is different because of the surrounding co-ed schools.</p>
<p>According to Google Flights, it’s possible to get from the Yakima, WA airport to LAX (the Claremonts run a shuttle to and from the airport during major breaks) in about 5 hours for around $345 one way. While not an insignificant chunk of change, it’s not terribly high either, especially if you only go home during winter break and the summer. I’m also under the impression that students aiming for an all women’s college in the same vein as Smith wouldn’t necessarily view Scripps as an excellent alternative although I could well be wrong. </p>
<p>How big is the cost difference?</p>
<p>Greek life isn’t really a thing at the Claremont Colleges, though there are co-ed frats at Pomona. All costs equal, I’d go to Scripps to experience the Claremont Colleges (a huge, huge asset), sunny California weather and nature (the largest 5C club is an outdoors club- <a href=“http://otl.pomona.edu/”>On The Loose), more summer opportunities in biology, and slightly more prestige.</p>
<p>UW is about 25K (tuition and housing/living fees), Whitman and Scripps are both very similar–around 40-45K. What holds me back from Scripps is mostly the all-women college aspect. And for Whitman, Walla Walla seems like a less opportune place for research/volunteering that i’d need to get into medical school.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why the all women’s aspect would hold you back given that your whole social life will be mixed, not to mention quite a few classes, likely. it really isn’t the same as an isolated college.</p>
<p>I personally would fly from SEA to Ontario airport. The trip from Ellensburg to SEA, IMHO is not too bad and the fares (if bought in advance) will typically run under $300 dollars. The flight is about 2 hours and Ontario airport is close to Claremont. There is a shuttle service between Claremont and the airport anytime you need it. As far as Scripps is concerned, great school and the students often take classes at the other colleges. My daughter and her friends eat at a different college every day based on who has the best offering on any given day. You can attend parties and socialize anywhere. I wouldn’t worry about feeling isolated. My nieces went to Scripps and enjoyed it, the campus is beautiful.</p>
<p>Could anyone give me a list of pros and cons for UW (and their honors program which I was accepted to), Scripps, and Whitman? </p>
<p>Lots of people go from Whitman to medical school. Walla Walla is a small city and there are opportunities for internships, volunteering, and the school offers special student advising right from the start for those who are aiming for medical school. Whitman is a great school, with loads going on and a gorgeous campus. The student body seems very happy, my S has loved it.</p>
<p>Have you really investigated the UW Honors program? I ask because we attended an info session on it, and it wasn’t what I assumed. It clearly wouldn’t have been a good fit for my kids (who did honors and AP classes in high school). It’s not simply a set of challenging classes. UW is, of course, a great school, but it is huge and your experience there would be very different than it would be at a small school. (I work at the UW.)</p>
<p>My oldest is currently at Whitman and running cross-country. He is very much enjoying the school and the x-c team and coach. He knew that he wanted a smaller community, and he has settled in very well.</p>
<p>How are you at pushing your way forward to be noticed? You can’t hide at Whitman. Your professors will know who you are. When you need recommendations for internships or grad (med) school, they will be able to write personalized letters. At UW, you might well be in large classes for most of your four years. You will probably have to make more of an effort to get to know your professors, to seek out opportunities to work with them.</p>
<p>Also, because there are no grad students at Whitman, undergrad students work with faculty on their research, something that is not as common at UW.</p>
<p>But, if you grew up in Ellensburg, you might be really attracted to the idea of living west of the Cascades, in an urban area. </p>
<p>I think the thing to keep in mind is that there is no wrong choice here. You have three wonderful options.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Because of KnearSeattle’s comments I went and looked up Ellenburg on a map, and now see that Walla Walla is not very far away from where you live. I was happy when my son chose to get out of California and experience another geography and culture. For that reason alone, I think you ought to take a good look at Scripps, going some place new will really broaden your horizons. </p>
<p>Though UW is large, once you start taking the 300+ classes, they should be smaller. However, if you really don’t want a big school, this might not be the place for you. Although I do hear they have a good Greek life. Would you have to take out loans to go to Whitman and Scripps? </p>
<p>No, my family is able to afford Whitman and Scripps, although it may be smart to save money by going to UW as I am planning on attending medical school soon after an undergraduate education. However, I prefer smaller schools, though I know the UW Honors program can shrink some of the classes. </p>
<p>My daughter is a junior at Scripps and one of many students from Washington. She was concerned about an all woman campus but has really loved it. She is heavily involved in Chemistry and takes those classes at Keck, which is the joint science program for Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps; most of her other classes this year happen to be at Pitzer. Even the classes at Scripps are co-ed (except for Core). The living environment has been great (dorms, facilities, food) and she has flourished in the small classes. It is very easy to visit the Claremont colleges from SeaTac and we often get fares for her to come home for about $100 each way. Many of the the students at Scripps plan to attend graduate school, including med school, and the advising, internships and recommendations the faculty provides has been a huge asset. [One of her best friends attends Whitman and loves it as well, but my daughter wouldn’t consider at Washington schools…]</p>
<p>My son will start at Whitman in the fall. He pointed out that grad school ( in neuroscience) will necessarily be in a large research university, so this is his only opportunity for the incredibly close community that will be so great. He’s an urban kid and comfortable traveling the world, but likes the lack of distraction and academic focus that the setting should provide. I’m optimistic and have never heard a negative idea from any of the many, many people we know with Whitman connections.</p>
<p>Saving money in undergraduate can help reduce debt at medical school graduation.</p>
<p>Medical school tuition and fees (not including living expenses):
<a href=“https://services.aamc.org/tsfreports/”>https://services.aamc.org/tsfreports/</a></p>
<p>Medical specialty earnings (which you would not start earning until after several years of residency after medical school graduation):
<a href=“Latest Medical News, Clinical Trials, Guidelines - Today on Medscape”>Latest Medical News, Clinical Trials, Guidelines - Today on Medscape;
<p>Would your family also be able to afford medical school for you without loans?</p>
<p>If loans are not an issue, then I wouldn’t let higher cost stand in the way of attending a small school if that’s what you prefer. I’m not sure from your posts whether you really do prefer a smaller school or not, though. Have you visited all these campuses? My daughter had no idea whether she preferred a larger or smaller school until she actually visited a smaller school and really felt the difference there.</p>
<p>Hi,
I just submitted my SIR to Scripps.
The women’s college thing freaked me out at first, too, but the only thing that’s not coed would be Core (a general ed class for all the students) and some other general ed classes. Lots of guys cross-register at Scripps and from what I’ve heard you’ll be in classes with guys, even if you’re not off campus. It’s so nice to be at a women’s college because you can interact with guys as much or as little as you want. there’s no weird unisex bathroom thing since dorms are single-sex. But yeah I’d say the main women’s college thing would be dorms and general ed classes. There are guys in the dining halls, guys in the clubs, guys in sports, guys on campus; I see guys in the dorms too.</p>
<p>Come! There be cookies.</p>